Early life

George Biskup was born on August 23, 1911, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Frank and Julia (née Kuda) Biskup.^[1] He had an older brother, Leonard, and a younger sister, Helen. His father died when he was young and his mother had to go to work to support her young family.^[2] Biskup was educated at St. Wenceslaus School through high school. He studied at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933.^[1] He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Priesthood

Biskup was ordained to the priesthood in Rome by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani for the Archdiocese of Dubuque on March 19, 1937.^[3] Upon his return to Iowa, Biskup served as a curate at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque until 1939.^[1] Biskup took up graduate studies in the fine arts at the University of Iowa while serving as the administrator of Holy Trinity Parish in Walford. Biskup became a faculty member in 1939 of Loras College, where he founded the art department and served as artist in residence.^[4]

In 1948, Biskup was then called to Rome as an official of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. During his years in Rome, he was made a monsignor. Again returning to Iowa, he was named pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Key West and chancellor of the archdiocese in 1951. Biskup was appointed vicar general in 1952, and served as a chaplain at the Presentation Sisters Convent (1952–1958).^[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Dubuque

On March 9, 1957, Biskup was appointed Titular Bishop of Hemeria and Auxiliary Bishop of Dubuque by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on April 24, 1957, from Archbishop Amleto Cicognani at St. Raphael's Cathedral. Archbishop Leo Binz and Bishop Loras Lane served as co-consecrators.^{[5] [2]} In addition to his episcopal duties, Biskup served as pastor of the Church of the Nativity Parish in Dubuque from 1958 to 1965.^[1] Biskup attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II; 1962-1965) in Rome. He was named the administrator of the archdiocese sede vacante after Archbishop Binz was transferred to the Archdiocese of St. Paul.

Bishop of Des Moines

Biskup was named by Pope Paul VI as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines on February 3, 1965. He was installed on March 19, 1965, in St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. In 1966 he purchased 55 acres (220,000 m²) from the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines to construct Dowling Catholic High School.^[6] He also started to implement the changes in the church as a result of Vatican II.

Coadjutor Archbishop and Archbishop of Indianapolis

Biskup was appointed by Paul VI as Coadjutor Archbishop of Indianapolis and Titular Archbishop of Tamalluma on July 20, 1967. He was formally received into the archdiocese at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on October 10, 1967, and also served as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Indianapolis.^[7]

Following the resignation of Archbishop Paul Schulte, Biskup automatically succeeded him as the third archbishop of Indianapolis on January 3, 1970. He supported the concept of Total Catholic Education and established lay boards of education to govern parochial schools.^[7] It was also during Biskup's tenure that the archdiocese became nationally known for its holistic approach to Catholic education under then-superintendent of Catholic schools, the Rev. Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger.^[7]

On March 20, 1979, Pope John Paul II accepted Biskup's resignation as archbishop of Indianapolis. George Biskup died at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis on October 17, 1979, at age 68. He is buried at Calvary Chapel Mausoleum in Indianapolis.^[8]